The new lectern that sits on the altar of St Michael’s Parish at Meadowbank is another feather in the cap for local parishioner Akos Hollai, whose lifelong devotion to the faith inspires his approach to craftsmanship.
Parish priest Fr Emmanuel Seo approached Akos to craft the lectern after he learned his gifted parishioner made the candles and cross for the altar at Cardinal George Pell’s tomb in the crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral.
He asked the Hungarian-born artist to use the lectern at the cathedral’s Chapel of the Irish Saints as a model.
The result is a stunning artwork depicting the parish’s patron, St Michael the Archangel, carved on the front of the lectern representing his witness to the Word spoken from it, and defence of it.
Akos’ wife Kati said the project became “even more special” while Akos was crafting the lectern.
“The school close by had a 100-year-old eucalyptus tree which a few years ago had to be cut down,” she said.
“One of the teachers saved some of the wood, and Akos used it when he was making Michael’s shield.”
For Akos, the lectern reflects his desire to “give back to the faith” in the best way he could.
“A childhood memory of mine is looking at the Mass book stand in my local cathedral in Hungary and just thinking it was so beautiful,” he said.
“When we arrived in Australia, there was a language barrier, and that’s why I craft, I want to show my love and my faith through my work.”
Kati is also proud of Akos’ achievements.
“Akos is a big traveller, and he has these stands and relics across the world,” she said.
“There are Mass book stands in a Beijing cathedral, the the candles for Cardinal Pell’s altar, and there are similar statues and relics back home in Hungary.”
Akos has no plans to stop either.
“I have a few other ideas I’m thinking of, some small, some big,” he said.
“Hopefully I can keep doing what I love, but for now I’m taking a break.”